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Thunder Fall to Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0

July 10, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Thursday, July 9, 2009) - The Minnesota Thunder were behind early and were unable to come back as the Vancouver Whitecaps shut out the Minnesota Thunder 4-0. The seventh minute marked the turning point in the game, as that was the time when the defending champions scored their first goal. The Thunder played with tenacity but the Whitecaps held them down by scoring three more goals late in the game. This was a one game road trip for the Thunder and they are back to the National Sports Center to take on the Montreal Impact at 7:05 p.m. on July 11.

The Minnesota Lightning had another 6-0 victory against the Fort Wayne Fever. This is the second match in a row that the Lightning shut out their opponent and the second game that they scored six goals. Minnesota has three more matches left in their regular season, all of which are on the road.

The Whitecaps were not to be out done because they sent an early message of offensive enforcement with an early game shot from 16 yards out. Tyrell Burgess's first minute try missed wide left. He also had another chance for a goal in the third minute but his shot was right at Nic Platter who easily made the save.

Vancouver opened the game with a goal in the seventh minute. Martin Nash dumped the ball off to Lyle Martin who in turn knocked the ball into the left side of the net for the first goal of the game.

Brian Cvilikas nearly had a goal off of a pass from Chris Clements in the 31st minute. Cvilikas was looking for the net when he took his shot but his try missed over the crossbar when he was challenged by the defense.

As halftime drew near, the Whitecaps have led the first half by leading the Thunder shots. Vancouver out shot the Thunder and the score effectively portrays how the first half was played.

Whitecaps goalkeeper, Jay Nolly, prevented the Thunder from evening the score in the 46th minute. Ricardo Sanchez sent one of his patented bending shots but to the gloves of Nolly.

Sanchez had another chance in the 50th minute. He booted a free kick from 15 yards outside the box but his curling shot once again found the grasps of Nolly.

Cvilikas nearly scored the equalizer in the 62nd minute. He took control of the ball from a Vancouver mishap and took it to the house. He took a shot aiming for the left side of the goal but he missed keeping the Thunder down by one.

Vancouver widened the gap on the scoreboard to two in the 71st minute. Nash took a penalty kick and blasted one past Platter on the right side of the goal.

Gbeke came out with another Whitecaps goal in the 79th minute. He accepted a pass from Haber and managed to slip a third ball past Platter for another insurance goal.

The Whitecaps put the final nail in the Thunder's coffin in the 81st minute. Marcus Haber had another look and instead of dishing the ball off he took a shot at the goal and found the back of the net. This extended the lead to four late in the game with little hope for Minnesota to come back.

Minnesota took one last attempt at the goal in the 90th minute but was unable to do anything with the opportunity. Sanchez took a free kick 15 yards out but his shot missed the goal high and the Thunder rounded out the match scoreless.

"It was a frustrating game," said Thunder head coach Donny Gramenz. "I though we created enough chances to get a positive result. We had five quality chances inside the 18 but that did not even get on target. We are now focusing on getting ready for Saturday's game against Montreal."

The Thunder returns to Minnesota for a five game home stand. For the majority of July, Minnesota will be the home team hosting USL teams and one match against C.S.D. Comuunicaciones of Guatemala.

For individual tickets, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or for group tickets call the Thunder office at 763.390.8336.

The Lightning had another impressive win tonight outscoring Fort Wayne Fever 6-0. Minnesota started out slow but managed to get in their groove and score six unanswered goals. This is the second game in a row that Minnesota has won 6-0 and they show no signs of slowing down. The Lightning are now on their way to West Michigan to take on the Firewomen.



USL First Division Stories from July 10, 2009


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